Male readers often overlook the contribution that women have made in the field of literature. This Women’s Day, we ask men: Who was the last woman author whose book you picked up?
Male readers may treat works written by women and their experiences as ‘unserious’. PIC/ISTOCK
In the age of dark academia and performative males, it’s finally cool for men to read. But even as they pick up a paperback, when it comes to literature, women authors are often overlooked, as their work is deemed as “lightweight” and not serious enough. Often, male experiences are treated as default, which is why women authors are left behind.
A study commissioned by The Guardian found that for the top 10 best-selling female authors, only 19 per cent of their readers are men and 81 per cent women. But for the top 10 best-selling male authors, the split is much more even: 55 per cent men and 45 per cent women.
So women will happily read male authors, but men won’t return the sentiment. Barriers in publishing and media, not enough inclusion in school syllabi, and a sexist tendency for male readers to avoid books by women is why when one imagines an “author”, a man comes to mind by default.
This Women’s Day, take some inspiration from these men and pick up new women authors.
The (student) activist
Bryan Lobo, a mass media student at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, says that the last book he read written by a woman was the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. When asked about why men are less likely to read books written by women, the 19-year-old points out, “I don’t think enough men read in the first place. Moreover, maybe a lot of books written by women are geared towards a female audience, and may not appeal to men. I think men should just read more, in general, otherwise you are limiting your own chances to grow.”
Bryan Lobo
Yash Shah, a second-year law student at the Faculty of Law, Delhi University, is a big fan of “trauma literature”, in particular the works of Mahashweta Devi. “I could go on about Mahashweta Devi. She was one of the first Indian authors I picked up,” says the 19-year-old, “I really admire that her stories feel like quiet observant glimpses into her characters’ lives. One of my absolute favourites is Hazar Chaurashir Maa, which follows a mother who discovers her son was killed as a Maoist known only as ‘Corpse 1084’. Rudali is another favourite of mine. It tells the story of a woman compelled by caste duty to mourn professionally for the elites.”
Yash Shah
For the love of the game
Chaitanya Srivastava
Chaitanya Srivastava, who works at Bloomsbury Publishing India, says that when he picks up a book, he doesn’t consciously look at the author’s gender. “Interestingly, many of the books I end up picking and loving thereafter happen to be written by women. I’ve noticed how women authors bring a distinct attentiveness and nuance to emotional interiors, the quiet yearning, flirtation, sensuality, and vulnerability that shape stories.” He appreciates writers like Patti Smith, Ann Patchett, Sally Rooney, Rachel Reid, and Taylor Jenkins Reid, who according to him approach characters with generosity. “This Women’s Day though, I’m reading Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, which is a memoir that delves deep into new adulthood, friendship, and of course, love. It’s everywhere on social media and I thought it’s about time I finally picked it up!”
A self-help king
Varun Duggirala
Varun Duggirala, 43, who is an entrepreneur and author, recommends the book The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown. “It’s a book which changes your relationship with yourself,” he says, “I have actually followed Brené Brown for years! I have read all her books and she has fundamentally changed how I live my life.” Another book he likes is Letter from Japan by Marie Kondo, which he picked up a few days ago at an airport. “I’m halfway through it, and it’s such a beautiful book about a culture I have deep curiosity for. She brings up nuances of Japanese culture and why they live the way they do.”
Varun Duggirala recommends The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown, and Letter from Japan by Marie Kondo. PIC/VARUN DUGGIRALA
Did You Know?
Women are more likely to be avid readers. The Pew Research Center reported in the United States: 32 per cent men have not read a book in the past year, compared to 22 per cent of women.
Pedro’s print picks
Pic/threads@k.a.rileywrites
>> All Fours by Miranda July
>> Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume
>> Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson
>> Beloved by Toni Morrison
>> Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Jacob’s must-reads
>> Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
>> The Secret History by Donna Tartt
>> Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
>> Cost of Living by Martyna Majok
>> Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Saif’s bookshelf selections
>> Black River by Nilanjana S. Roy
>> Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes
>> The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
>> Vetaal & Vikram: Riddles of the Undead by Gayathri Prabhu
>> The Girl Who Could Not Stop Laughing by Meera Ganapath
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